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What is NXT Doing with Tony D’Angelo?

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Josh Prost | Last updated Jan 15, 2026 6:30 AM ET

After Je’Von Evans won the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline, then-NXT Champion Oba Femi stared him down. Their confrontation didn’t last long, as Tony D’Angelo returned after months away. Slamming Evans down, he stared at Femi. It was assumed he would challenge for the NXT Championship. But that never happened. From there, he attacked Ethan Page and stared at the NXT Championship when Femi vacated it.

On the NXT episode of January 13, 2026, the mystery of D’Angelo deepened even further. He slammed Dion Lennox with a chair, helped Joe Hendry win his no-disqualification match, and then attacked Hendry. Security was sent out, and they were swiftly disposed of. Then, he stared down NXT General Manager Ava as she walked out. It’s clear he has some type of plan. But what is it, and will it make sense to the audience?

D’Angelo is Being Unpredictable for a Reason

Right now, it seems like D’Angelo is just going around attacking everybody. The NXT North American Champion, Hendry & Lennox, and security all aren’t safe. That’s a pretty random group of people. But maybe that’s just what he wants everyone to think. The expectation is that he’ll attack anyone at any time. When he finally zeroes in on his target, it’ll be viewed as unpredictable. He’s never attacked anyone twice or two weeks in a row.

We’re being conditioned to him being someone without a motive. That’s why picking out his main target will be a shock to everyone. No one knows what he’ll do next week. He could go after Page, Hendry, Lennox, or even the eventual NXT Champion. The best surprise is something that you can’t see coming, which is why he’s waiting for the right time to truly strike.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?

TONY D'ANGELO HAS TAKEN OUT DION LENNOX AND JOE HENDRY!! @TonyDangeloWWE pic.twitter.com/son1Vl5C8z

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026

He is Waiting for Crusifino and Rizzo’s Return

For years, D’Angelo was part of his namesake family running NXT. With Adriana Rizzo, Luca Crusifino, and Stacks by his side, they were a very powerful faction. But things came crashing down, culminating with him winning the D’Angelo Final Battle. Afterwards, he took a hiatus, Stacks started working with his real-life fiancée Arianna Grace, and Rizzo tore her ACL and meniscus.

Interestingly, he hasn’t interacted with Stacks, Rizzo is expected back in a few months, and Crusifino just started back wrestling live events. Perhaps the random attacks are just a distraction from his real targets. He knows Stacks is still around, with Rizzo and Crusifino imminently coming back. They were a real family until their bond completely fell apart. Either they find him, or he finds them when they are all cleared. His attacks could all be a mirage to get their attention back to him.

Simply no words.

Tony D'Angelo is on a warpath, and wiping out anyone in his way…@TonyDangeloWWE pic.twitter.com/xOWhaH3HWW

— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026

What is His True Plan?

Right now, D’Angelo’s actions have left people confused. Who is he truly attacking? Is he doing this for intimidation purposes? There are a lot of questions, but not a lot of answers. However, some theories could explain why he is doing what he’s doing. He hasn’t talked to anyone since his return at NXT Deadline. His only form of communication has been attacking random people once.

When he attacks someone for a second time, that’s who he’s going after. He’s making everyone guess, so his target will be a surprise. But he also could be doing this to lure the former D’Angelo Family back to him. They probably haven’t gotten over his win, so there’s going to be more fighting when they do meet him again. Either way, it seems like he’ll be a major part of NXT in the weeks to come.